Recycling Mining Tires | A Practical Solution to a Giant Problem

The largest mining tires are nearly 14 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Not only would it dwarf a person, it wouldn’t even fit in a living room. Even off the road (OTR) tires of a more modest variety are typically 9 feet in diameter, made for large, OTR mining vehicles. They’re made to move the earth and must bear both incredible weight and brutal road conditions.

The Giant Problem

Under these rough conditions and huge loads, even the toughest of mining tires will eventually expire. Their tread will fade and proper safety (and good business) will demand they be replaced. A new tire will be bolted on to the giant machine and work will continue.

But what can be done with a 9 foot tall tire once it’s worn out and unusable? There just aren’t a lot of trees big enough for a tire swing of that size, even if itcouldfit half a kindergarten class.

Disposing of these mining tires comes in two forms: incineration or piling them in junkyards. Either of these methods creates significant, negative effects on the environment.

But there are healthy ways to deal with used mining tires.

The Practical Solution

Western Tire Recyclers uses special equipment to shred OTR tires, even the large ones, into small bits. This rubber mulch is then used to make the soft rubber base for playgrounds or in road construction, helping to make a quieter, durable, and cost-effective paving material.

Western Tire Recyclers has also been successful in turning mining tires into tire water tanks for livestock, which usually range from 5 to 13 feet in diameter and can fit up to 2,000 gallons of water. Their size, combined with their durability, makes them perfect for agricultural use.

The life of a mining tire passes from the unbelievable to the almost undesirable; from helping drive the economy to taking up space in the scrap heap. However, thanks to companies like Western Tire Recyclers and their OTR tire recycling solutions, OTR tires can create another practical solution rather than a giant problem.

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